PHOENIX – As the seventh inning concluded in the final match of the Territorial Cup in 2026, the public address announcer at Phoenix Municipal Stadium grabbed the microphone to report that a record-setting 2,219 students filed in to the bleachers to watch Arizona State’s (26-12, 9-6 Big 12) home tilt against its in-state rivals, the Arizona Wildcats (14-22, 5-10 Big 12).
Along with the students, 6,003 fans were in attendance at Phoenix Muni. It’s the largest crowd for any midweek game for the Sun Devils since they made the move to the stadium back in 2015. In total, it’s the seventh-highest attendance for an ASU game in the former Spring Training site.
But while the large crowd was present, the Maroon and Gold’s offensive ability didn’t feed off the energy present, as they took a 5-3 loss in extra innings to the Wildcats. Junior infielder Nu’u Contrades provided signs of life in a mostly dormant ASU offense, hitting a two-run shot to even the score at three in the eighth inning. Yet, an inability to deliver with runners in scoring position and two runs by the Wildcats in the 11th inning thwarted ASU’s chances.
The Sun Devils have struggled to hit with runners in scoring position over the past week. It was a key reason why they lost to UNLV and their opener against Utah. And even in their rubber-match win on Sunday, it was a problem.
One day later, the struggles reached a peak, as Arizona State hit 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
“I think we just need to understand that the pressure’s on the pitcher and not us,” Contrades said. “I think sometimes I get overanxious in those situations, swinging at pitchers’ pitches. I just got to stick to my approach and just be better.”
Contrades provided the lone bright spot of the game offensively for Sparky, providing the team’s only hit with runners in scoring position: a two-run home run over the “Coca-Cola” sign on the right-center wall to tie the game at three.
IT'S A NU'U GAME!
— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) April 14, 2026
OUR FEARLESS LEADER TIES IT UP. pic.twitter.com/WIHGh3k0ud
But even then, the Hawai’i native put some blame on himself, citing the double play he hit in the sixth inning that killed momentum after ASU had two runners on to begin the inning.
“(We’re) taking this one kind of hard obviously, (it) means a lot to the fans, and we did fight,” Contrades said. “Pitchers threw the heck out of the ball. I just got to come up bigger in big spots.”
Contrades has been on and off due to battling with a hamstring injury. He missed the Sun Devils’ win over GCU and most of the UNLV game, coming in late as a pinch-hitter.
But despite his injury, it’s not stopping him from playing, and even if he’s limited, it doesn’t extend to his desire to show up and show out.
“He’s feeling that pressure, being the leader and being a captain on our team, that he wants to get it done,” ASU coach Willie Bloomquist said of Contrades’ leadership. “And right now, he’s out there playing on one leg and doing everything he can for us. So the last person I put blame on is Nu’u Contrades.”
On the other hand, Monday’s loss concludes a six-game stretch in seven days for ASU. It’s the fourth consecutive day the Sun Devils are playing, and it seems that the next two days off are much-needed rest.
But Bloomquist isn’t using the amount of games played in a short period of time as an excuse for why the team has faced struggles with its bats.
“Baseball is a daily sport,” Bloomquist said. “These kids have aspirations of playing at the next level. If they think this is a lot, wait until you get to the next level. You’re gonna play 142 games in 150 days. Come talk to me then about being tired. Tired is an excuse, and we’re not going to use it.”
While the bats struggled to find their footing, the arms on the mound for ASU were something to be satisfied with. Although in a de facto bullpen game, five Sun Devil pitchers threw scoreless outings.
Freshman right-hander Austin Musso made his second career start on the mound after his first-ever last Wednesday. The freshman allowed three solo home runs, but didn’t walk any batters – an encouraging sign since ASU has had troubles with command throughout 2026.
“You give up three solos tonight, and those were all behind in the count,” Bloomquist said of Musso’s start. “3-1 pitches that had to be grooved. I’d rather that than walk the yard and give up runs that way.”
There were also appearances from the Maroon and Gold bullpen, who had bounce-backs after their previous times on the mound.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Easton Barrett pitched one inning but looked more in control, picking up a strikeout and working around a two-out walk.
Another pitcher who looked more composed was junior right-hander Derek Schaefer. The former national champion was a part of the 12-5 collapse last Saturday.
The Tennessee transfer pitched two scoreless innings, striking out the side in the ninth, and getting an inning-ending double play to end the 10th.
“That’s (pitching) not what beat us tonight. What beat us tonight is we just couldn’t get it going offensively.”
The Sun Devils dropped from No. 40 to No. 50 in the RPI (Rating Percentage Index). Arguably their toughest loss of the season, and although they took the season series against Arizona, the Wildcats not only get the last laugh but further damage their rival’s chances of hosting a regional in May.
ASU heads to Provo next for a three-game series against BYU beginning this Thursday. The Cougars are coming off a three-game sweep of Houston, and are one of two Quadrant 1 series opportunities the Sun Devils have left on their schedule.
It’s likely a must-win for Sparky this weekend, and playing in colder weather than the team is accustomed to may work against them.
“We haven’t been really in the cold yet this year,” Bloomquist said. “So that’ll be a challenge for our guys. We have to figure out ways to win. Try to win games on the road.”
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